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USMC Corporal Anthony Trzeciak

USMC Corporal Anthony Trzeciak enlisted in the military in 2008 in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, and served through January of 2012. He was seriously injured on July 1, 2011 when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED), and it detonated in Afghanistan.

Corporal Trzeciak, who was the gunner in the vehicle, injured his back and head in the blast. Afterward, he contracted a near-deadly infection that led to him becoming paralyzed from the waist down. He also suffers from the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq have brought PTSD among military personnel to the attention of the American people as never before. Blast waves from explosions rattle the brain and can cause traumatic brain injuries which are often linked to PTSD. Most PTSD sufferers repeatedly relive the trauma in their thoughts during the day and in nightmares when they sleep. While the condition varies from person to person, more and more studies have linked PTSD with chronic depression and suicidal ideation.

Among the commendations received by Corporal Trzeciak are the Combat Action Ribbon (Afghanistan), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award), Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Classified), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, and the Rifle Qualification Badge (Sharpshooter).

USMC Corporal Trzeciak, his wife Tara, and their son were gifted a mortgage-free home in Riverview, Florida in May